This study chronicles the evolution of the invasion plan and culminates in a day-by-day account of the landings by sea and by air on the Normandy beaches, followed by the grim six-week struggle to break through the German defences.

Originally published in 2004 in hardcover in the United States of America by Thames & Hudson, Inc., New York, New York. With 178 illustrations, including 71 full-color maps.

Planning and preparation -- Fortress Europe -- D-Day -- The beachhead battles -- Break-out -- Epilogue -- Codewords connected with D-Day -- High Command diagrams -- Divisions which fought in Normandy.